Jill Duggar, her husband and son announce they are leaving U.S. for long-term religious mission after she came forward as one of brother Josh's molestation victims

  • Jill Duggar, her husband Derick, son Israel, who was born in April, plan to leave for overseas trip in July
  • Derick announced the family's trip on their blog and said it's something they've been discussing for several months
  • The couple did not disclose a location for their religious mission trip
  • Announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed that Josh Duggar was a teenager, he fondled five girls including sisters Jill and Jessa

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:38 EST, 27 June 2015 | Updated: 07:31 EST, 28 June 2015

Jill Duggar Dillard, her husband, Derick, and young son Israel are leaving the country for a long-term mission trip abroad, the family announced on their website. 

Derick, 26, who wrote the blog post, did not reveal where the 19 Kids and Counting couple was headed but said it was something that he and Jill had been discussing for several months. 

Jill and Derick also shared news of the trip on Instagram. Jill, with a picture of Derick and a friend hiking and Derick with a picture of Jill. 

'God has put a desire in our hearts to serve Him internationally for longer than the typical short-term mission trip,' Derick wrote.

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Changes: Jill Duggar Dillard (right), her husband Derick (left) and baby Israel (center) are leaving the United States in July for a long-term mission strip abroad

Changes: Jill Duggar Dillard (right), her husband Derick (left) and baby Israel (center) are leaving the United States in July for a long-term mission strip abroad

Old snaps: Jill shared news of the mission trip on Instagram with a throwback snap of Derick Dillard hiking with a friend

Old snaps: Jill shared news of the mission trip on Instagram with a throwback snap of Derick Dillard hiking with a friend

Adventures: Derick Dillard shared a a snap on Instagram of a pregnant Jill with her mom and another woman to share the news of their big trip abroad

Adventures: Derick Dillard shared a a snap on Instagram of a pregnant Jill with her mom and another woman to share the news of their big trip abroad

'Earlier this year God brought about an opportunity much earlier than either of us was expecting,' he added. 

The announcement comes just three weeks after Jill, 24 came forward as one of her brother Josh Duggar's molestation victims. 

It was revealed more than five weeks ago that when Josh was a teenager, he fondled five girls including sisters Jill and Jessa before the family started their reality series.

TLC suspended 19 Kids And Counting on May 22 after Josh publicly apologized for having 'acted inexcusably' when he was aged 14 to 15. 

Derick and Jill, who welcomed baby Israel in April, told their family about the mission trip earlier this year, and Derick left his job at Walmart in May, according to People. 

'As I’m sure many of you fathers can understand, I (Derick) had a huge dilemma as the provider and protector of my little family. There were definitely more “unknowns” with the international option,' Derick wrote. 

Not long after: Just three weeks ago Jill, along with her sister Jessa, revealed that they were two of their brother Josh Duggar's molestation victims

Not long after: Just three weeks ago Jill, along with her sister Jessa, revealed that they were two of their brother Josh Duggar's molestation victims

World travelers: The couple did not disclose where they would be traveling during their time outside the United States

World travelers: The couple did not disclose where they would be traveling during their time outside the United States

Newlyweds: Jill and Derick celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on Monday. They married June 21, 2014, and Jill became pregnant with Israel in July 

Newlyweds: Jill and Derick celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on Monday. They married June 21, 2014, and Jill became pregnant with Israel in July 

But the couple, who married in June 2014, have 'always' wanted to serve others through family ministry 'by whatever means that might be'. 

'We have a deep love and care for all of the world and a real passion for those in the nations, as many have even seen in the early stages of our relationship, and our hope is that all peoples of the world would come to repentance and put their hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ,' Derick wrote. 

Derick said in the post that moving abroad to serve others 'is the best option' for his family. 

'We don’t expect this new adventure to always be easy, but God never promised that following Him wouldn’t have its challenges,' he said. 

He added: 'We are confident in knowing that there is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will for our lives. 

'We look forward to this adventure and the joy of serving Him in this new way. We wanted to share this with you and ask for your prayers as our family makes this transition.'

The couple's blog post includes a link where supporters can donate to the family ministry.

Family: Derick said he and Jill have 'always' wanted to serve others through family ministry and that they 'look forward to this adventure'

Family: Derick said he and Jill have 'always' wanted to serve others through family ministry and that they 'look forward to this adventure'

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